Smith & Nephew and Q-MED Form Hyaluronic Acid Treatment Alliance
BY ARIELLA P. GOLOMB, MD, JUNE 28, 2006
Viscosupplementation to treat osteoarthritis has traditionally been performed with a course of three or five injections. Today Smith & Nephew Inc. and Q-MED AB announced an alliance which paves the way for the US marketing of DUROLANE, the first and only single-injection hyaluronic acid therapy for the treatment of OA of the hip and knee. This agreement also covers other orthopedic applications of Q-MED's patented technology for the production of stabilized non-animal hyaluronic acid, NASHA.
Q-Med submitted a PMA for DUROLANE to the FDA back in March 2006. However, the company reports the product already has approval for the treatment of OA of both the knee and hip in Europe and Canada and has treated more than 100,000 patients.
Today's announcement outlined a licensing and supply agreement between the two companies: Q-MED AB has granted Smith & Nephew the global exclusive right to market, sell and distribute DUROLANE and other products intended for the management of orthopedic conditions and diseases. Q-MED will manufacture and supply all products developed under this transaction. Smith & Nephew will focus on, and bear the costs for, the clinical development, registration and commercialization of new products worldwide.
DUROLANE will complement Smith & Nephew's current viscosupplementation treatment Supartz, a three to five injection course treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee.
